Access Marshall County Family Court Records
Marshall County family court records are kept by the Marshall County Clerk at the courthouse in Plymouth, Indiana. The clerk's office handles filings for dissolution of marriage, child custody, support orders, paternity actions, and protection orders, and Indiana's online tools make many of these records available to the public without a trip to the courthouse.
Marshall County Quick Facts
Marshall County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Marshall County Clerk is the official keeper of all family court records in the county. Every dissolution case, custody action, paternity filing, and protection order goes through this office. Clerks accept filings, assign case numbers, collect court fees, and maintain both paper and electronic records. They are the right starting point whether you need to file a new case or get a copy of an old one.
Copies of court records cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $3 fee per document. Staff can search by party name or case number. You should bring a valid photo ID when you visit in person. The clerks do not offer legal advice, but they can point you to the correct forms and let you know what documents are on file.
Marshall County uses both a circuit court and a superior court structure to handle family law caseloads. Dissolution of marriage cases are governed by IC 31-15, which sets out the grounds, waiting periods, and procedures for ending a marriage in Indiana. Child custody and parenting time disputes fall under IC 31-17. All case records from both courts are filed and maintained at the courthouse in Plymouth.
| Clerk's Office | Marshall County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Marshall County Courthouse 117 W Jefferson St Plymouth, IN 46563 |
| Phone | 574-935-8675 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Copy Fees | $1 per page; $3 certification per document |
| Payment | Cash, money order, or cashier's check; personal checks not accepted |
Note: Final divorce decrees are not downloadable through any online system. You need to contact the Marshall County Clerk directly to obtain a certified copy of a decree.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal connects residents to case search tools and guidance for accessing court records across all 92 counties.
The portal is the central hub for statewide record access resources maintained by the Indiana Office of Court Services.
Searching Family Court Records in Marshall County
Indiana offers a free statewide case search tool called MyCase. You can use it to look up family court cases by party name, case number, or attorney. MyCase shows case type, filing date, party names, and upcoming hearings. No account is needed for public searches, and the system is available any time of day.
Marshall County does not run its own dedicated court records website separate from the statewide system. The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is the right starting point for finding case information and learning how to request records not available electronically. Some older documents, sealed filings, and exhibits may not appear in the online system at all. Those require a trip to the courthouse or a written request to the clerk's office.
For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at the Marshall County Courthouse during regular business hours. Staff can search records by name or case number. If you know the approximate year of filing, share that information when you call or arrive. For older paper records, it helps to call 574-935-8675 ahead of time so staff can retrieve the file before you get there.
The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory lists contact information for every county court in Indiana, including Marshall County. Use it to confirm which court division handles a specific type of case or to find a direct phone number for court staff.
The MyCase public access portal lets anyone search Indiana court records by name or case number at no cost.
Results include case status, party names, hearing dates, and case type for family court matters filed across Indiana.
Marshall County Child Support Services
Child support in Marshall County is calculated using Indiana's Income Shares Model, which is set out under IC 31-16. Both parents' incomes factor into the calculation. The goal is to give the child roughly the same level of financial support they would have had if the family had stayed together. The resulting order becomes part of the court record, on file with the clerk's office in Plymouth.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau runs Title IV-D services for families in Marshall County. These services help establish new support orders, modify existing ones, and enforce payments when they stop. The bureau can locate non-custodial parents, work with the court to set an order, and apply enforcement tools like wage withholding or tax intercepts. You don't have to be on public assistance to use these services. Contact the Child Support Bureau to start the process.
For quick answers about a support case, call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757. The line runs automated services around the clock and connects to live staff Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can check payment status, ask about the next hearing date, and get general case information through this line.
Paternity cases in Marshall County are filed under IC 31-14. You need to establish paternity before the court can enter a custody or support order for a child born outside of marriage. The clerk's office in Plymouth handles these filings the same way it handles all other family court matters.
Note: The Child Support Bureau handles financial support only. Custody and parenting time are separate issues that require court action and, in most cases, legal help.
Legal Help in Marshall County
If you need a lawyer but can't afford one, Indiana Legal Services offers free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents across the state. Their attorneys handle dissolution, custody, and protection order cases. Call or check their website to find out which office covers Marshall County and whether you meet the income guidelines.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center gives you access to court-approved forms, instructions, and guides for handling common family court actions on your own. You'll find forms for dissolution of marriage, custody petitions, and child support modifications. The center doesn't give legal advice, but the materials are clear enough for most people who represent themselves.
The Parenting Time Helpline is a free service staffed by licensed attorneys who can answer questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines. Whether you have questions about a standard schedule or a disputed visitation issue, this line can help. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m.
For private legal representation, the Indiana State Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney in the Marshall County area. Contested divorces, complex custody disputes, or cases with significant property or support issues are often easier to handle with a private attorney at your side.
Cities in Marshall County
Marshall County is a northern Indiana county with Plymouth as the county seat. Other communities in the county include Argos, Bremen, Bourbon, and LaPaz. None of the cities and towns in Marshall County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. All residents file family court cases at the Marshall County Courthouse in Plymouth, and the clerk's office serves everyone in the county regardless of which town they live in.
Nearby Counties
Marshall County borders several counties in northern Indiana. If you are unsure which county handles your case, your county of residence at the time of filing generally determines the correct jurisdiction for most family court matters.